If you aren’t familiar with congee, you’re probably not from Asia. There, it’s pretty standard cuisine. It’s basically rice porridge, but with a lot more yummy stuff in it. There are recipes for vegan congee that feature tons of veggies. There’s also chicken congee, seafood congee, and pork congee. The typical ingredients include rice (usually jasmine), broth or water, and spices. Beyond that, you can adjust these recipes however you like. If you’re a newbie to congee recipes, you might want to make them as-is. Once you become more familiar, then you can start experimenting.
1. Basic Congee
Basic congee is exactly what it claims to be. It’s a simple recipe for making a basic congee dish. It combines oil, ginger, garlic, rice, and more for a flavorful, herby dinner. The recipe also calls for shrimp and scallops, making it a little more than truly basic. It gives it a robust, earthy, umami flavor and extra protein. Simply put, it’s a delicious, seafood-based congee that really gives you an idea of what to expect from the dish. As long as you enjoy seafood, it’s an excellent first-time congee recipe.
2. Vegan Congee (Jook)
If you’re looking for a vegan-friendly option, use this recipe instead. It’s a very mild dish that livens up the rice porridge with mushrooms, lemongrass, ginger, and garlic. It’s simple to pull together. You can make it on your stove or in the Instant Pot. It uses just eight ingredients and takes a mere 10 minutes of prep. Of course, if the flavor is too mild for your tastes, you can jazz it up with toppings. The recipe recommends a few great options. I sometimes add peppers, shredded carrots, and mushrooms to mine, as well.
3. Congee With Miso Sauce
This congee dish is for anyone who needs a nutritious, delicious meal in a hurry. You’ll need fewer than 10 ingredients to make it, and it takes just 15 minutes. The veggies and hard-boiled eggs provide plenty of nutrients. The bouillon powder, miso, and soya sauce deliver the flavor. There are no meat products (other than the chicken bouillon). Regardless, this dish has a phenomenal, savory, umami-packed flavor. You can serve it any time of day, but I think it makes an excellent breakfast.
4. Instant Pot Vietnamese Chicken Congee
This creamy congee is the ultimate comfort food. It’s like chicken noodle soup, only with rice instead of noodles, and it’s much more flavorful. It features tender shredded chicken and plenty of bold spices. And the giò cháo quẩy in it are insanely scrumptious. Think of them like Asian croutons. They give the dish some much-needed crunchiness. It turns every bite into a delightful taste and texture experience.
5. Chinese Ham Bone Rice Soup (Congee)
This effortless congee requires just three ingredients. No more, no less. All you’ll need to make it is ham bone, rice, and water. It’s a simple, comforting dish that tastes great and is very filling. And it’s so easy to make. You toss the ingredients in a slow cooker. After that, there’s very little hands-on work involved. Once it’s ready, you can spice it up with scallions, leeks, sesame seeds, or anything else you like. Much like stir-fry, congee is very customizable.
6. Seafood Congee
This congee is every seafood lover’s dream. It combines whole shrimp with a half-pound of crab meat. Two of the most popular seafood options in one flavorful package! It also has a warm, earthy foundation. That comes from the ginger, cilantro, and scallions. It’s the kind of dish that can instantly transport you to a little seaside cafe.
7. Slow Cooker Rotisserie Chicken Congee
Need a new and exciting way to use up leftover rotisserie chicken? Try this slow cooker chicken congee recipe. It takes 20 minutes of prep time or less; then, the slow cooker does all the work. Like several options on this list, this one is earthy and just a touch spicy. However, thanks to the goji berries and dates, there’s a light sweetness, as well. If you’re looking for a recipe that combines all the best flavor profiles, this one is perfect.
8. Pork Bone Congee
Pork bone congee is a thick, silky dish full of meaty flavors. There’s pork bone, of course. But there’s also squid (or scallops), which give it an unbelievably hearty flavor. Besides that, all you’ll need is salt, water, rice, scallions, cilantro, and pepper. In 10 minutes or less, you can have everything in the slow cooker. This recipe is simple, but it’s salty, savory, and downright delicious. It has a relatively low calorie count, too. The finished product is thick and creamy. However, if you prefer a thinner congee, you can add more water to the recipe. For something with more heat, add a dash of ginger or cayenne.
9. Brown Rice Congee with Shiitake Mushrooms, Edamame, and Spinach
Here’s another excellent vegan-friendly congee recipe. You manage to pack an insane amount of veggies into every serving. It still has the traditional bold flavors of onions, garlic, ginger, and scallions. But you also add shiitake mushrooms and edamame for extra flavor. The mushrooms are great because they soak up all the oils and sauces. The rice is also absorbent, giving you a double dose of flavor in every bite.
10. Chicken and Ginger Congee (GF)
This congee is the ideal replacement for chicken noodle soup. If you’re feeling under the weather, it should be your go-to recipe. It features the comforting taste of chicken and the heartiness of long grain rice. There’s also a significant amount of spice from the ginger. Ginger is an excellent ingredient for sore throats and sinus infections. It can help clear that kind of stuff right up! So if you need a heartwarming, pick-me-up lunch option, give this one a try. Click on a star to rate it!
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